Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Interactive pin array device
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to interactive devices but more
particularly to an interactive pin array device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Pin Art or Pinscreen consists of a boxed surface made of a crowded
array of pins that are free to slide in and out independently in a screen to
create a three dimensional relief. Other similar product names are "Pin
Pressions" and "Pinhead". Pin Art patterns can be created by first
creating a computer image which then actuates pins on a pin array so
that they move into the desired configuration. Inversely, manually
pushing pins on a pin array can send a signal to a computer so that a
virtual image is generated. There are many uses for pin arrays both in
the artistic and technical fields.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
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described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[004] To provide for an economical, compact and simple to use a pin array
device that can send its signal over the Internet.
[005] In order to do so, the invention is an interactive pin array device
comprising a plurality of elongated pins held in a frame and forming a
set. The frame is adapted to hold the plurality of pins in a parallel
position to one another in a series of columns and rows, such that the
distal ends of the plurality of pins together form a flat virtual plane.
[006] Each pin of the plurality of pins includes an elongated housing member
defining a linear axis therethrough, and a pin member adapted to slide
linearly in either direction along the axis. Each of the housing member
includes an upper electromagnet, and a lower electromagnet separated
from the upper electromagnet.
[007] Each of the electromagnet is adapted to move its respective pin member
linearly in either direction. Each of the pin member includes at least one
linear potentiometer, a, magnet and an electronic transmitter attached to
an opposite end to the distal end, such that when each of the pin
members are moved linearly each respective linear potentiometer sends
a signal to its respective transmitter which in turn sends an electronic
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signal describing its movement within its respective housing member. a
plurality of electronic wires respectively connected to each transmitter,
such that electronic signals can be relayed to and from each respective
pin; an analog-digital converter connected to the plurality of electronic
wires and adapted to convert the analog electronic signals relayed by
the transmitters into digital format to be transmitted, processed, stored,
and then converted back into analog form for return transmittal to the set
of pins.
[008] A microprocessor device connected to the converter and adapted to
retrieve the electronic signals from the converter, store them, and re-
transmit them back to the converter when desired, such that a user can
displace the pin members from the virtual plane in any pattern, have
electronic signals sent, processed, stored, and returned to the same set
of pins, or another separate set of pins, at a later time to thereby
displace the pins to the same positions as the original pattern chosen by
the user.
[009] The interactive pin array device has each of the housing member of
each pin comprise an upper frame upper electromagnet, upper spring,
lower electromagnet, lower spring and shield along the entire upper
frame wall to separate magnetic field between each interactive pin.
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[0010] The lower frame consists of the outer fixed part of the potentiometer
and electronic transmission from electronic transmitter to both
electromagnets.
[0011] The pin consists of a magnet, a mobile portion of the potentiometer,
electronic transmitter that picks up all the wire and sends position signal
and feeds the power to both electromagnets via the lower housing.
[0012] The electronic signal is formed as a Pulse Width Modulation signal, and
the displacement of each of the pin members is proportional to the
strength of the Pulse Width Modulation signal received by the
electromagnets.
[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
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of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
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purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As
such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0015] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with
patent
or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection
the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The
abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is
measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of
the
invention in any way.
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[0016] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Figs. la-b Isometric view and isometric cutaway views of an
electromechanical pin.
[0018] Fig. 2 Schematic view of the invention in context.
[0019] Figs. 3a-bCutaway side views of the pin in rest mode and when pressed
upon.
[0020] Fig. 4 Isometric view of a pin array device.
[0021] Figs. 5a-b Isometric view of an imprint on one end and the and the
result at the other end.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] An interactive pin array device (10) consists in a plurality of
electromechanical pins (12) held inside a frame (14). A connector means
(16) connects the interactive pin array device (10) to an analog to digital
converter, hereinafter known as ADC (11), and then to a microprocessor
operated device (13) such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, game
console, etc...
[0023] Each electromechanical pin (12) consists of an elongated pin member
(18), an upper housing (20), an upper electromagnet (22), a shield
member (24), a magnet (26), a lower electromagnet (28), a lower
housing (30), an outer part linear potentiometer (32), an inner part linear
potentiometer (33), an electronic transmitter (34), wiring (36), upper
spring (38), lower spring (40). Each pin member (18) has a distal end
(19) such that when not in an operating mode, the plurality of distal ends
form a flat virtual plane (21).
[0024] When a user (not shown) manually pushes down on the pin member
(18), the resistance in the outer part linear potentiometer (32) varies,
which is processed by the electronic transmitter (33) which then sends
an electronic signal such as a Pulse Width Modulation signal hereinafter
referred to as PWM (34) down the wiring (36) to the ADC (11). The
springs (38, 40) create an opposition force to the electromagnetic force
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to create a smoother, more fluid displacement of the electromechanical
pin (12).
[0025] When receiving a signal, the electromagnets (22, 28) react to the PWN
(34) received from the ADC (11) by way of digital data received by the
computer (13). The range of displacement of the pin member (18) is
proportional to the strength of the PWM (34) received by the
electromagnets (22, 28).
[0026] When connected to a web hosted Internet service, The local
microprocessor operated device (13) reads out the digital data from the
ADC (11) of the local pin array device (10), as seen in fig. 5A for
example, and sends data to a remote microprocessor using the Internet.
The remote microprocessor operrated device (13) receives the signal
and sends a PWM (34) to its pin array device (10) corresponding to a
negative image, as seen in fig. 5B, of the local pin array device (10) and
vice versa.
[0027] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
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[0028] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious
to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0029] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
